. >> i'm dana king. it was a close vote with billions on the line. >> the election is over but the battle over a sales tax measure in alameda county is taking a new turn. after losing by a narrow margin, a county agency is asking for an expensive recounty. cbs 5 reporter mike sugerman says taxpayers are being asked to pay for it. >> reporter: transportation officials in alameda county really wanted this megabillion ballot measure. it was so close. but they didn't get it. so they are now spending more money to see if they can still get it and as you say that angers a lot of taxpayers. tick, tick, tick. >> yes. yes, yes. >> reporter: someone likened it to watching paint dry. >> yes, yes. >> reporter: most alameda county voters voted for measure b-1, 66.53% of them. but it needed two-thirds majority, 66.67%. the backers of the half cent sales tax that would fix potholes boost bus service and bring bart to livermore decided to buy a recount. >> we have been working on developing this transportation expenditu